Testimonials

In 2012, while spending time with our friends Víctor and Sandra, God called us to embark on an extraordinary adventure. This journey has been filled with love, dedication, commitment, and hard work. However, what we have received in return over these twelve years has been the manifestation of God's hand, His miracles and wonders. All of this has filled our hearts and lives with love, joy, gratitude, and the satisfaction of fulfilling the Lord's will. After months of preparation, in January 2013, a team of 13 people, including my family and me, traveled to Kenya, specifically to Nairobi-Kibera. Upon landing and disembarking after so many hours of travel, I was enveloped by the characteristic colors of this land, its people, its aromas, flavors, songs, dances, and a joy that instantly captivates and enthralls. The simplicity of daily life deeply charmed me. During that month, we worked in Kibera, an informal settlement in the suburbs of Nairobi and the largest slum in the country, with over a million inhabitants. In that place, where God sent us to serve, my perspective on life changed radically. Watching the children sitting beside ditches filled with garbage and excrement, enjoying a sweet treat and offering a broad smile, made me realize the hopelessness and sadness reflected in their eyes. There I could see not only material poverty, but also the spiritual poverty that surrounds them. The feeling of being in a place where the smell of poverty mingled with human warmth was overwhelming, but also inspiring. The children's faces, full of joy despite the hardships, showed me that life can be simple and that each day brings new opportunities to learn and share. To date, I have made four trips providing tools to women and children, with the purpose of transforming their lives and making change possible. This work is a gift from God, and it fills me with joy to see how our beloved and precious women are increasingly empowered to provide education for their children. Through songs, dances, and flavors, I became deeply involved with their culture and community. Every song and every movement in their traditional dances taught me that, despite adversity, the community we work with today is sustained by hope and joy. The simplicity of their lives and their philosophy of living one day at a time touched me deeply and reminded me of the value of appreciating what truly matters. My experience traveling to Kenya to work with children in the Kibera settlement and with the women and their children has undoubtedly been one of the most exciting and profound of my life. From the moment I set foot in that place, I was struck by an intense mix of emotions: the poverty that permeates the air, the hopelessness that shines in the children's eyes, the lack of opportunities, and the desire to make a real difference in their lives, which has awakened in my heart a deep commitment to contributing to their well-being. Working with them has allowed me to understand that, beyond material poverty, what they need most is love, dignity, and respect. The experience transformed me, teaching me that solidarity and empathy can build bridges and that, even in the midst of despair, there is always room for hope and joy. With each return to my country, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and a clearer vision of the importance of cherishing every moment. I have learned from communities that, despite their hardships, live with a strength and joy that are deeply inspiring. Without a doubt, this land and its people have taught me that life, in its purest essence, is a gift that God bestows upon us to enjoy one day at a time. I am incredibly grateful to be part of this divine vision, which I can carry forward through the NGO Patagonia Compassion.